1 . Ancient builders across the world created structures that are still standing today, thousands of years later. Roman engineers built thick concrete sea barriers, for example. And Chinese builders raised walls against invaders. But there are many recent structures that are already starting to fail. The concrete that makes up much of our modern world lasts around 50 to 100 years.

A growing number of scientists have been studying materials from long ago. They are breaking apart pieces of buildings and reading historical texts hoping to learn how they have stood for thousands of years. The research has turned up a surprising list of materials that were mixed into old buildings. They include tree bark, volcanic ash, rice, beer and even urine (尿液). These unexpected materials could have the ability to get stronger over time and “heal” cracks when they form.

Figuring out how to copy these features could have real impacts today. While our modern concrete has the strength to hold up very tall buildings and heavy infrastructure (基础结构), it cannot compete with the endurance of these ancient materials. With the rising threats of climate change, there is a growing call to make construction more sustainable. A recent UN report estimates that the built environment is responsible for more than a third of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. Cement (水泥) production alone makes up more than 7 percent of those emissions.

Is ancient Roman concrete better? In places where seawater has been hitting structures for ages, you will find concrete “basically the way it was when it was poured 2,000 years ago,” said John Oleson, an archaeologist at the University of Victoria in Canada.

Most modern concrete starts with Portland cement, a powder made by heating limestone (石灰岩) and clay to super-high temperatures and breaking them up. That cement is mixed with water to create a paste. Then, materials like rock and gravel are added. Records from ancient builders show the Roman process was similar. The ancient builders mixed materials like burnt limestone and volcanic sand with water and rocks, creating chemical reactions to tie everything together.

Now, scientists think they have found an important reason why some Roman concrete has held up structures for thousands of years. The ancient material has an unusual power to repair itself. Exactly how is not yet clear, so scientists are starting to find reasons why.

1. What is the purpose of the comparison in Paragraph 1?

A．To introduce a topic.	B．To list a motivation.
C．To give a definition.	D．To present an argument.

2. Which aspect of ancient Roman building materials surprises scientists?

A．Their necessary ingredients.	B．Their processing procedure.
C．Their amazing sustainability.	D．Their high-end technology.

3. According to the passage, ________ remains a mystery.

A．what made up those ancient Roman materials

B．where the ancient Roman materials were produced

C．how those ancient Roman materials were transported

D．why the ancient Roman materials healed automatically

4. Where is the text probably from?

A．A travel brochure.	B．A science fiction.
C．An architecture essay.	D．An environment report.

2 . 假如你是李明，你的英国朋友Bob所在的学校要组织学生暑假来中国旅行，有两条线路可以选择：“西安之行”或者“上海之旅”。Bob来信希望你能给些建议。请你给他回信，内容包括：
1. 你建议的线路；2. 你的理由；3. 你的祝愿。
注意：1. 词数80 词左右；
2. 开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Bob,

I am glad you will come to China to spend your summer vacation.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Ming

4 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Yellow River Wetland Park in Yinchuan was once a place local people avoided: raw sewage (污染) caused awful smells     1     almost no grass could grow on the land. It had been several years before this area became a popular destination for locals to take a walk and a habitat frequented by migratory     2     (bird). Now this Wetland Park has appealed     3     many bird photographers.

The Yinchuan Wetland Park     4     (be) a microcosm (缩影) of China’s achievements in wetland protection. Last year seven Chinese cities were awarded “international wetland cities” at     5     14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14). So far, there are 13 wetland cities in China, showing a great     6     (various)of patterns and styles.

For example, Wuhan, acknowledged as a “city of a hundred lakes”, has five large wetland reserves,     7     tens of thousands of birds come to stay in wintertime.

Liangping district in Chongging, however, is more closely tied to human activity. People built small wetlands in rural areas. What’s more, they have combined these wetlands with organic farms, homestays, and healthcare centers, which     8     (result) in an income increase of 52,000 yuan per household in the past decade.

Panjin in Liaoning province is another surprising wetland city. In the past, the city long suffered from     9     (environment) problems caused by oil production. But now in the coastal wetlands, seagrass turns a breathtaking red every autumn,     10     (create) beautiful “red beaches”.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why does the man come to the woman?

A．To book a hotel room.

B．To ask for permission.

C．To make a complaint.

2. What does the man say about the room?

A．It was cheap.

B．It was noisy.

C．It was large.

6 . In 1901, H. G. Wells, an English writer, wrote a book describing a trip to the moon. When the explorers landed on the moon, they discovered that the moon was full of underground cities. They expressed their surprise to the “moon people” they met. In turn, the “moon people” expressed their surprise “Why?” they asked, “are you traveling to outer space when you don’t even use your inner space?”

H. G. Wells could only imagine travel to the moon. In 1969, human beings really did land on the moon. People today know that there are no underground cities on the moon. However, the question that the “moon people” asked is still an interesting one. A growing number of scientists are seriously thinking about it.

Underground systems are already in place. Many cities have underground car parks. In some cities such as Tokyo, Seoul and Montreal, there are large underground shopping areas. The “Chunnel”, a tunnel (隧道) connecting England and France, is now complete.

But what about underground cities? Japan’s Taisei Corporation is designing a network of underground systems, called “Alice Cities”. The designers imagine using surface space for public parks and using underground space for flats, offices, shopping, and so on. A solar dome (太阳能穹顶) would cover the whole city.

Supporters of underground development say that building down rather than building up is a good way to use the earth’s space. The surface, they say, can be used for farms, parks, gardens and wilderness, H. G. Wells’ “moon people” would agree. Would you?

1. What surprised the explorers in H. G. Wells’ story?

A．The moon people’s unique language.	B．The moon people’s friendliness.
C．The moon people’s underground cities.	D．The moon people’s space technology.

2. What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Traveling to outer space.	B．Using the earth’s inner space.
C．Meeting the “moon people” again.	D．Discovering the moon’s inner space.

3. What underground systems are already here with us based on the passage?

A．Tunnels, car parks, shopping areas.	B．Gardens, car parks, power stations.
C．Tunnels, gardens, offices.	D．Offices, shopping areas, power stations.

4. What would be the best title for the text?

A．Enjoy living underground	B．Alice Cities — cities of the future
C．Building down, not up	D．Space travel with H. G. Wells

8 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

If you don’t come to Xinjing, you won’t know how big China is. And if you don’t come to Xinjiang, you won’t know how    1    (beauty) Nalati is. According to the local people, Nalati means the     2    (one) place to see the sun. Nalati is known as the “Entrance to Heaven on Earth”.

The wide grasslands, blue lakes and wonderful flower fields attract millions of     3    (visit) from home and abroad every year. You can see groups of cows and sheep everywhere. You can also see horses with people on    4    (they) backs running across the field. People on the horseback can enjoy the amazing view of the grassland at the same time. The postcard like scenery will be remembered by everyone    5    sees it. There are 27 main tourist attractions in total in this area. It’s reported that tourist industry plays    6    important role in its development. Nowadays, it not only offers jobs for the local people, but encourages young people     7    (realize) their dreams.

One of the visitors said in an interview, “Visiting Nalati has left a deep impression on me, and look forward to     8    (return) sometime in the future.”

Voyo, a l9-year-old American girl, loves Chinese culture and is studying in Xinjiang University. She told the reporter “During my stay, I was shocked by the    9    (develop) of Xinjiang. The Chinese government     10    (make) great effort in supporting the local industries these years.”

9 . Teenagers who travel around the world alone have been making headlines quite often. A young person alone in a dangerous situation attracts attention and supporters. Young sailors also attract various views. For example, Jessica Watson was asked by the government to call off her solo trip across the ocean, yet the Prime Minister (总理) called her “a hero for young Australians” when she returned.   It seems views are poles apart on the ability and independence of young people.

Some experts tell us that teenage brains are likely to make wrong judgments. But such ideas often do not apply to specific individuals (个体) . Between the ages of 14 and 18, teenagers differ greatly in their abilities. The amount of independence that each is allowed should be determined not simply by their ages but by discussion with the related, responsible adults. Some teens are certainly inexperienced and make childish mistakes, but the ones who attempt dangerous journeys normally do so by winning the confidence of hard-headed and experienced adult supporters.

But it’s also wrong to think that any 16-year-old can make a hit as Jessica Watson. Watson calls herself “a common girl who had a dream”. Her purpose is to encourage teenagers but this idea can have the opposite effect of making them feel not good enough because great achievements are beyond them. Should all teens have such wild dreams? Actually, individuals face different conditions that limit their dreams.

Teenagers who travel around the world alone should not be judged by preconceived (先入为主的) views about young people. Nor should young “common” teenagers feel pressure to long for extraordinary personal goals. In fact, I believe the example of solo sailing overstresses what an individual can do. The teenage years are when most of us “common” people learn that we can achieve great things in cooperation with others.

1. Why is Jessica Watson mentioned in the first paragraph?

A．To set a heroic example for teenagers.

B．To point out the public’s interest in young people.

C．To introduce different opinions on teenagers’ adventures.

D．To show the Prime Minister disagreed with the government.

2. What can determine the amount of teenagers’ independence?

A．Different journeys.	B．Brain development.
C．Communication with adults.	D．Confidence in themselves.

3. What does Watson mean by calling herself “a common girl who had a dream”?

A．She likes dangerous journeys.	B．Teenagers can make success.
C．She can accept she is common.	D．Teenagers should go travelling.

4. What’s the author’s attitude towards teenagers’ act of travelling alone?

A．Doubtful.

B．Supportive.

C．Uncaring.

D．Uncertain.

10 . 假定你是李华，你的外国朋友Peter计划在假期到西安旅游两天，希望你给他提供游览建议，请你回信，内容包括：
1. 写信目的；
2. 推荐景点游览路线（如：兵马俑 Terracotta Army;城墙City Wall；西安历史博物馆Xi’an Historical Museum）。注意：1. 词数80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 开头已经给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Peter,

I am glad to learn from your letter that you are going to pay a visit to Xi’an during the holiday.

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Yours,

Li Hua